Alesis Q25: the compact MIDI controller with full-size keys

Alesis is throwing its hat into the ultra-compact MIDI controller keyboard ring with the announcement of the Q25.

This comes hard on the heels of the launch of Korg's microKey, though the Q25 differs in a couple of significant respects. It has 25 keys as opposed to 37, but the better news is that these are of the full-size rather than mini variety.

It's also worth mentioning that you get proper pitch/modulation wheels rather than buttons, plus octave up/down buttons and an assignable data slider.

From having limited options in the mini MIDI keyboard market, there are now plenty to choose from, with Akai's LPK25 also being a contender. The Alesis Q25 will cost £60, though we're not yet sure when it'll be available.